St Francis church in Republic Street, Valletta.St Francis church in Republic Street, Valletta.

Whenever I am in Valletta, I usually pay a visit to St Francis church in Republic Street.

Two weeks ago a strange thing happened shortly after 6am when the church opened. Two foreign youths each carrying a skateboard and a can of beer entered the church. Suddenly one of them hopped on his skateboard and skated up all the way to the main altar, still holding the beer can in one hand. Then he skated back.

The other youth, who seemed more collected, told his friend that what he did was disrespectful towards God. With a loud voice his friend uttered “I hate God”.

At the time of the incident, besides me, there was only one woman in the church.

I was really shocked to witness such behaviour in the house of God.

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